Crime victims all set to be handed ‘better care’

CRIME victims and witnesses in Burton are being asked to help shape a radical rethink into how they are treated by police officers.

Staffordshire’s police and crime commissioner Matthew Ellis is spearheading the review in a bid to make sure people approaching the force are getting the correct care and support they need.

He told the Mail that his latest project was about making sure Staffordshire Police were ‘putting these often vulnerable people first’.

Mr Ellis said: “We will achieve better service and support for victims and witnesses by improving the complicated service and making sure it’s effective and more joined up.

“To do this, it’s crucial that we understand the views of both victims and witnesses and also fully understand what services are currently offered by support organisations.

“Putting the victim first in every aspect of what is done is at the heart of our strategy and I’m confident the improvements will result in better, more sensitive and more tailored services.”

Deputy police and crime commissioner Sue Arnold is overseeing the review and reform of services so that victims and witnesses are supported in ways that recognise their individual circumstances and needs better than they are at the moment.

She said: “Feedback from this important survey will feed into work that is already underway through new investment and better systems to see all victims of any crime in Staffordshire offered support. Putting the victim first is our top priority.

“By April 2015, all victims will have the single gateway the commissioner promised where one, joined-up agency, not the police, will take on the responsibility for providing a clearly mapped out support route for victims of crime.”

Consultation with individuals and support organisations launches this week and will run until the end of May.

It will only take minutes for victims and witnesses, along with other members of the public, to give their views in an online survey.

Anyone who would like to part is urged to head online to http://goo.gl/k0E2gU or, to get a paper copy, email heather.collier@staffordshire.gov.uk